The Lions are the only team who can afford to lose out on one of the top offensive coordinators

The Lions are the only team with a backup plan.

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes are conducting their first offensive coordinator search. At least the first search that includes interviewing more than one guy and interviewing candidates from outside the building. There’s been one problem.

Every candidate the Lions talk to is also talking to just about every other team.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator candidates and who they’re talking to

  • Mike McDaniel: Also interviewed for Falcons, Titans, Browns, Ravens, and Raiders head coach jobs. Also interviewed for Eagles and Buccaneers offensive coordinator jobs.
  • Mike Kafka: Interviewed for the Giants head coach job and the Eagles offensive coordinator job
  • Arthur Smith: Interviewed for Cardinals and Titans head coach jobs
  • Zac Robinson: interviewed for Buccaneers and Eagles offensive coordinator jobs
  • Tee Martin: Interviewed for the Commanders’ offensive coordinator job

Look, there’s a good chance that the Lions wind up with none of these guys. There’s a chance they might wind up with a guy you don’t like. The good thing is that the Lions have something to fall back on when these other teams definitely don’t.

If the Lions don’t land a top OC, they still have Dan Campbell to call the offense

It’s not the most exciting thing because it’s not new, and it’s probably not the route anyone wants the Lions to take, but it’s realistic. Campbell knows exactly what he wants out of the offense, and that’s primarily what he’s hoping the next OC gives him and then some. The Lions’ offense still performed well with him at the helm until the offensive line completely fell apart. Don’t let anyone tell you that John Morton was better during the first half of the season. They’re ignoring everything.

In Campbell’s final presser of the season, he mentioned that he’s considering calling plays and that the one thing he liked about doing that is that he didn’t have to worry about the offensive coordinator getting stolen away after the season if he’s the man calling the plays.

That all makes the Lions going with someone who’s maybe a little less proven or a young up-and-comer a little more palatable, because you know they can sit in the passenger seat until they’re ready to drive, or they could at least have their learner’s permit and get in some hours before Campbell gives them their driver’s license.

The Lions will OK, as long as they handle their business with the offensive line. That might actually be the more important thing at the end of the day.

Update: Lions Hire Drew Petzing

Petzing has been coaching in the NFL since 2013, most recently as the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator, and he’s worked his way up by helping out all over the field. He’s been a quarterbacks coach, a receivers coach, a tight ends coach, and, most recently, an offensive coordinator.

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